The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1887-04-27
RUssELLvILLE. POPE co. ARK APRIL 27. 1887.

leo as a part of the invading army
Under Gen. Scott, and took part in
the battle at Contreras, Churubusco,
and the other engagements partici-
pated in by that commander in his
operations across the Rio Grande.
AT the close of hostilItles, Capt.
Jones returned to his home in Mis-
souri, and to his private business so
long neglected for his country's sake.
He was for years major general of
the state militia Of Missouri, and it
was from this position lie acquired
his military title Of general.
In 1914 he was a candidate on the
democratic ticket for representative
Of his district in congress, bat was
defeated, not because his personal
character was not universally res
pected or his abilities recognized,
nor because his district was not
largely democratic, but because his
party in that state was at that time
| Through the malign influence Of
Thos Fl. Benton), split up INTO rival
aud bitterly antagonistic factions,
which enabled the wings to triumph
as they never could have done against
united democratic opposition. Gen.
Jones was never ambitious of civil
preferment and repeatedly declined
nomination for important and high
ly honorable offices. The tedium Of
! legislative duties and the tameness
and constralpt of the more strictly
civil offices, possessed no charm for
one Of his active temperament and
restless and adventurous disposition,
with which the dangers, vicissitndes,
and variety of the soldiers life or
| the excitement incident to ciyo mar
tial positions better harmonized.
This temperament always character.
lied him, and he early became and
always remained known as eight
ing man" Peaceable and far from
quarresome, he was always the
courteous gentleman, bat ne never
swallowed the slightest insult nor
allowed the least affront, no mat
ter by whom offered to go unre
sented. In a country where every
body was quick to take offense
and equally ready to fight, he became
involved in his younger days in
many personal difficulties, resulting
in either physical encounter on
the spot or in some form of the for
NAL affair of honor, the duel, with
pistols or other deadly weapons.
And as, though III stature small and
in build slight, he was extraordinari-
| ~ athletic and quick, and also we'll
trained in themanly artof self defense
and in tue use Of weapons, he rarely
or never failed to come out best man.
4 Space will not ALLOW particulars of
any of these personal affairs, some OF
which were fatal and all highly IN
terestiDg in their way.
Naturally associated with this spir-
it was love for field sports, in which
lie delighted. Few equalled him as
an expert shot with rifle, or pistol or
gun. He was also q fine horseman,
and with his pack of booded hounds
or those of neigbors he often enjoyed
with his friends the excitement of
fox hunt. His horses were OF the
best fine bred and trained Kentucky
stock, and their merits were fire
! quently tested in competitive trials
among themselves or with outside
animals, on his own excellent course
or some other track. Throughout
the south in those days fine horses
were matter of great interest and
pride to most gentlemen OF means,
and racing was common, as well as
| important amusement. Betting,
often heavy, was of course an almost
invariable feature Of the sport, but
II was among and by gentlemen who
did more for the sake of zest than
for mercenary gain. There was
about private horse racing then
none OF the trickery, vicious dissipa-
tion and just disrepute that attach to
sport as publicly practiced nova
days. Reference having been made
to Gen. Jones' remarkable physical
muscularity and activity, it may be
observed in corroboralion thereof,
that he could in his better days out
run and out jump any one in
his section of country, and he far eX
celled anyone oflike weight in wrest
ling skill Not exceeding five feet
seven inches in height and never
weighing over 130 pounds, his
strength and agility were wonderful.
HIS complexion was dark, his eyes
black and piercing, and his hair all.
ways worn long after the typical
southern fashion, was OF y raven
| b.ackness and remained unmingled
with grey up to his Goth year. His
lips were thin and sternly compress
cd except when pleasantly smiling,
and his firm expression of face plain
/ ly denoted ns marked force and de
termination OF character. ChlYal
rous and in the highest degree, he
was under all circumstances the
ready champion Of the weaker sex;
and with all his great masealinity OF
character and love for field sports.
he was in early life very fond Of la
dies society, OF music, and of social
/ festivities. lie was an accomplish
ed dancer and delighted IN the pleas
ures of the bali room. His manners
A Il